A.V. USING PETERS PRINCIPLE SENIOR RUNNING BACK/DEFENSIVE BACK WILL DO IT ALL FOR ANTELOPES.

Byline: Ramona Shelburne Staff Writer

For the past three years, any mention of Antelope Valley High football included the name Johnny Walker.

He was A.V.'s leading rusher, passer, punter, kicker and punt returner last season. He was a two-time MVP of the Golden League. He was, in short, Antelope Valley football.

But with Walker graduated and off to Colorado State, the Antelopes quickly have found a new leader in senior running back/strong safety Kreig Peters.

``He's a very gifted guy and we like for him to make plays,'' Antelope Valley coach Brent Newcomb said. ``He's been our MVP on defense the last two years, but he'll be our nucleus on offense as well.''

Peters was rated the top defensive back in the area by the Daily News and once again will anchor the defense. But unlike past years, his greatest value will be on offense, where he is the only returner in A.V.'s triple-option offense.

Both Walker and 240-pound fullback Sean Wallace graduated, leaving Peters as the Antelopes' main threat.

Translation: Every team A.V. plays against will key on stopping Peters.

``There's a little more pressure on me because I'm supposed to be the main guy now,'' said Peters, who led the team in scoring last year with 20 touchdowns.

Peters though, has prepared well for the challenge. Over the summer, he added 15 pounds of muscle to his 5-foot-9, 190-pound frame and can bench press more than 300 pounds. He also has shaved his time in the 40-yard dash from 4.6 seconds to 4.4.

He'll share the backfield with senior fullback Aaron Wilson, who doesn't have the size Wallace did but at 185 pounds plays a similar physical style.

At quarterback will be junior Michael Bogan, whom Newcomb says has a better arm than Walker did but less mobility.

Besides throwing to Peters out of the backfield, Bogan will have plenty of quality targets. Senior Nate Thomas played tackle last season but has been converted to tight end and, at 6-2, 215 pounds, will create matchup problems for the defense.

The receiving core will be led by sophomore Andre Crenshaw and senior Eric Wickliffe, who makes the most of his 5-4, 150-pound frame.

``Eric has had one of the best summers of anyone,'' Newcomb said. ``He makes a lot of plays for us, and I expect he'll be a go-to guy on offense and defense.''

Crenshaw is more of an enigma. He was the starting quarterback on the freshman team last year but was moved to varsity and played in two playoff games. Newcomb raves about his athletic ability and expects him to be among the most exciting players in the league.

``He's going to make some guys eyes bug out this year,'' Newcomb said. ``He's going to be on the field somewhere.''

Crenshaw will line up at wide receiver, but Newcomb said he expects him to push Bogan at quarterback by the middle of the season.

``That just makes me more excited to play,'' Crenshaw said of the expectations. ``I'm a little nervous, but Kreig (Peters) and Eric (Wickliffe) have helped me to put it in perspective.''

The Antelopes won't have much time for all of the newcomers to settle in, opening on the road against longtime rival Bakersfield. They host nationally ranked Loyola of Los Angeles in Week 4, followed by Golden League powers Palmdale and Highland in the first two weeks of league play.

Ramona Shelburne, [phone]

ramona.shelburne(at)dailynews.com

AT A GLANCE

Team: Antelope Valley football

Last year: 10-3, 4-1 in Golden League (tied for first)

Playoffs: Lost to Mira Costa 31-12 in Div. III semifinals

Key returners: Kreig Peters, Sr., RB/SS; Eric Wickliffe, Sr., WR/DB; Nate Thomas, Sr., TE; Chris McIntyre, Jr., G/DT

Key newcomer: Andre Crenshaw, Soph., WR/DB

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

Despite being 5-foot-4 and 150 pounds, senior receiver Eric Wickliffe had a big summer and will be counted on in Antelope Valley's passing attack this season.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer

Box:

AT A GLANCE (see text)